Expert Tips for Teen Bedroom Design

Balancing the trendy designs that teens want in their bedrooms with what works for Mom and Dad can seem like an impossible task. However, there are some ways to find common ground and make everyone happy.

Kimberly M. Stone, owner of the interior design firm Adore Your Décor and author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Home Stager or Redesigner, has generously offered to share some of her tips for teen bedroom design with the readers of LoveToKnow Interior Design.

Designing for Function

Most importantly, a room must be functional for it to be useful. Teens need a study area, a comfortable place to crash at night, and plenty of storage options. "Invest in some furniture that has an adult feel, so that your teen will not outgrow the room's décor in a couple years," she said. "This furniture could even be something they take with them later to college or their first apartment."

When thinking about storage, try to include both open and closed storage options in your teen's room. A bookcase unit, storage under the bed, floating shelves, and storage bins or baskets is a good solution for containing most teenage stuff.

Creating a Space with Personality

Color schemes tend to be one of the most common points of disagreement between teens and their parents. Teenagers often want to paint their rooms bright and bold colors, while their parents tend to prefer a more subdued palette. Ms. Stone says the best way to handle this is to compromise. "If your teen has a particular color in mind, let's say hot pink, consider leaving the walls neutral and use hot pink in the bedding and window treatments," she said. "That way, your teen gets the color she loves, but it can be easily changed later."

Accessories are also a good place to add color and personality to a room. "If you decide to keep the overall walls and floors neutral, add some pop in smaller ways like a whimsical light fixture or lamp," she said. "Or, try including a funky rug made of faux fur or flokati in a bright color. Insert trendy items that will be easy to change later, but will help showcase your teen's personality."

Posters and Memorabilia

When you were a teenager, you likely decorated your room with favorite posters of singers or movie stars and a few pictures of your friends from school. If there are posters your teen wants to hang up, edit the grouping down to a few that she really loves, then put them in low-cost poster frames. "This looks so much better than a room plastered with posters and push pins," Ms. Stone said. "Also, add a framed corkboard or magnet board that will limit displays of photos to one area."

Compromise Is Key

Teenagers are beginning to develop their own sense of style, which means they are likely to have strong opinions when it comes to interior design. However, if you're willing to compromise, you're sure to find a solution that both of you can be happy with.

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